Tag Archive: Culture & Travel – Intermediate

The island blessed and cursed by the sea

rocky coast of the sea

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are there many people in your country who live by the mountains? Please tell me more about it. What are the dangers of living by the sea? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. peak /peek/ [noun] – the pointed top of a mountain, or the mountain itself They were in awe of the tall peaks. reputation /rep-yuh-TEY-shuhn/ [noun] – the opinion that people have of someone or something, based on past behavior or character This restaurant has an excellent reputation. draw /draw/ [verb] – to attract attention or interest Since he…
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The national food of Portugal

Salted and dried cod being sold at local grocery shop

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favourite breakfast, lunch, and dinner? How would you describe your country’s food? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. (the) depths /depths/ [noun] – the lowest part of the ocean Many dolphins are capable of diving to depths of 200 meters. cuisine /kwi-ZEEN/ [noun] – a style of cooking The cuisine at this restaurant is well-known. preserve /pri-ZURV/ [verb] – to keep something as it is, especially in order to prevent it from decaying or being damaged or destroyed Our natural resources must be preserved. draining /DREY-nihng/ [adjective] –…
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The energy lines that connect life in England

Inside the Circle at Stonehenge

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think of when you hear the word “energy lines”? Do you think there are “energy lines” in your country? Please share your thoughts. Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. theory /THEE-uh-ree/ [noun] – something suggested as a reasonable explanation for facts, a condition, or an event, esp. a systematic or scientific explanation There was no strong evidence to support the theory. implied /im-PLAHYD/ [adjective] – if something is implied, it is understood to be true or to exist, although it is not stated directly or in a legal…
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A day to commemorate Japan’s culture

文化の日

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some important holidays in your culture? Please tell me more about them. What do you like the most about your culture? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. figure /FIG-yer/ [noun] – an important or well-known person He wasn’t a public figure, but he had a lot of influence. admission /ad-MISH-uhn/ [noun] – the money that you pay to enter a place Teachers can visit most attractions and museums with free admission. encourage /en-KUR-ij/ [verb] – to make someone more likely to do something, or to make something more likely…
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Origin of the spookiest day of the year: Halloween

Halloween pumpkin with lantern on old wooden

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you feel about Halloween celebrations? What has ever made you feel the most scared? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. hallow /HAL-oh/ [noun] – a saint or holy person People used to celebrate All Hallows’ Eve before the name was changed. eve /eev/ [noun] – the period or day before an important event We will be here on Christmas Eve. lurk /lurk/ [verb] – to stay around a place secretly, or to stay hidden, waiting to attack or appear Why are you lurking in the hallway? You should go…
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Sports Day 2022

Students running in a field. Sports day in Japan.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What healthy routines do you follow (washing your hands before eating, sleeping early, etc.)? What do you think is the best way to exercise? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. satisfying /SAT-is-fahy/ [adjective] – giving pleasure, esp. by taking care of a need or desire It’s a very satisfying job. declare /dih-KLAIR/ [verb] – to announce something clearly, firmly, publicly, or officially A state of emergency was declared by the mayor. kindergarten /KIN-der-gahr-dn/ [noun] – a class for young children, usually children four and five years old, which is often the first…
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The Door to Hell

door to hell

© BBC Travel Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Do you enjoy viewing mystery films or reading mysteries? What can you say about them? What can you say about your city’s architecture? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. blazing /BLEY-zing/ [adjective] – very bright and hot We quickly became exhausted in the blazing heat. explore /ik-SPLAWR/ [verb] – to search and discover (about something) The best way to explore the countryside is by walking. tremendous /trih-MEN-duhs/ [adjective] – very great in amount or level, or extremely good Tremendous damage has been done by the floodwater. colosseum /kol-uh-SEE-uhm/…
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Tartessos: Was it a city, kingdom, or river?

ruinssss

© Andrew Lofthouse via BBC News Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is your favorite historical book or movie? Why? Which Japanese era is your favorite and why? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. reveal /ri-VEEL/ [verb] – to make known or show something that is surprising or that was previously secret He reveals his deepest secrets in the book. widely /WAHYD-lee/ [adverb] – including a lot of different places, people, subjects, etc. Garlic used to be widely used in traditional medicine. conqueror /KONG-ker-er/ [noun] – someone who has conquered a country or its people The…
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Respect for the Elderly Day

Portrait of old grandma and adult granddaughter hugging with love on sofa while looking at camera. Happy young woman with eyeglasses hugging from behind older grandma with spectacles. Senior woman spending time with her beautiful daughter, generation family concept.

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What do you think is the best age? Why? In your opinion, what is the ideal retirement age? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. wisdom /WIZ-duhm/ [noun] – the ability to use your knowledge and experience to make good decisions and judgments Hoshi will almost always offer pearls of wisdom. define /dih-FAHYN/ [verb] – to explain and describe the meaning and exact limits of something Your contract defines your duties and responsibilities. permanently /PUR-muh-nuhnt-lee/ [adverb] – always and forever She had decided to live in Australia permanently….
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The quest for autumn leaves

Autumn trees lining driveway

Pre-reading questions I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What is the best season to go sightseeing in Japan? What is your favorite thing to do in autumn? Vocabulary I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. vibrant /VAHY-bruhnt/ [adjective] – energetic, bright, and full of life or excitement Kaito consistently uses vibrant colors in his paintings. chop /chop/ [verb] – to cut something into pieces with an axe, knife, or other sharp instrument Could you chop some wood for the fire? climate /KLAHY-mit/ [noun] – the general weather conditions usually found in a particular place It’s preferable for strawberries to grow in…
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